F A Q

Do I need a kayak-kayakist?

It all depends on the distance you are committed to.

For the crossing, swimmers must be accompanied by a kayak for safety reasons. As it is difficult for us to find kayakers, it is the swimmer's responsibility to find one to accompany them. If you are unable to find one, contact us within a reasonable time before the race and we will do our best to find one for you. As for the kayak, you can either bring your own or ask us to provide one (for a fee of $10).

For other distances, it is not mandatory to be accompanied by a kayak. Swimmers who wish to be accompanied by a kayak must find their own kayaker. We will provide a kayak to 3km swimmers who wish to have one, depending on availability (swimmers participating in the crossing have priority).

Finally, we will have a few kayakers paddling the course as well as a rescue boat ready to intervene. In order to secure a kayak, it is highly recommended that you complete your registration before August 1.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

 

Is a wetsuit required? What temperature will the water register?

Wetsuits are not mandatory, but are strongly recommended. Please note that if the water temperature is below 18ºC at the time of the race, wetsuits will be mandatory. Please make arrangements to adapt to this possibility. The water temperature is generally between 17 and 20 degrees at this time of year, depending on the winds and tides of the previous days (the historical average is 18.4 and the average for the last 5 years is 19.5). The temperature is also slightly colder in the channel where the water is deeper.

 

What about jellyfish?

Since the event is held a little after mid-August, they are rare or not present. Several swimmers who completed the crossing since 2022 claim not to have any.

 

Is there a cut-off?

There is no official cut-off. However, the awards ceremony will begin approximately 2 hours after the arrival of the first competitor. We will still continue to record times after the ceremony begins. For security reasons we will ask you for your expected time. If you stray significantly from this time and are no longer fully oriented, you may be removed from the water as a safety precaution.

 

Are open water buoys allowed?

Open water swimming buoys are not mandatory but are recommended. They make you more visible in the water and provide a temporary handhold if needed.